Inheritance of faith(5)
Japan's First Mission to Europe (Tenshō Embassy)
Alessandro Valignano was a Jesuit missionary born in Chieti, Italy, known for his achievement of sending four Japanese youths to Europe as the Tensho embassy in 1582. The Tensho embassy made Japan and the Japanese people known to the rest of the world and played a pioneering role in building international friendship and goodwill.
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Arima Christian Heritage Museum
Arima Christian Heritage Museum, which includes Hara Castle Ruins, part of the UNESCO World Heritage "Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region," tells the history of the introduction of Christianity to Japan, how it flourished and then was suppressed, and how adherents went into hiding.
Location: 1395 Minamiarimacho Otsu, Minamishimabara-shi, Nagasaki
PH: 0957-85-3217 (Arima Christian Heritage Museum)
Website: Minamishimabara City
https://www.city.minamishimabara.lg.jp.e.abk.hp.transer.com/page7165.html
Closed: Thursdays, year-end/New Year holidays (Dec 29 to Jan 3)
Admission: 300 yen (general), 200 yen (high school), 150 yen (elementary/junior high)
Transportation: Approx. 75 min from Kyushu Odan Expressway Nagasaki-Oita Line Isahaya Interchange
Parking: 100 cars (includes neighborhood parking lot)
Kuchinotsuko Ryokuchi Park
There is a bronze statue in Kuchinotsuko Ryokuchi Park, which is next to Kuchinotsu Port, where Alessandro Valignano came ashore.
Location: 4358-3 Kuchinotsucho Hei, Minamishimabara-shi, Nagasaki
Transportation: Approx. 80 min from Kyushu Odan Expressway Nagasaki-Oita Line Isahaya Interchange